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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 





POEMS 



LEROY H. WHITE 




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BOSTON: THE GORHAM PRESS 

TORONTO : THE COPP CLARK CO., Limited 



Copyright, 1914, by Leroy H. White 



All Rights Reserved 









MAY 13 1914 



Thi Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



CI.A37185 9 



DEDICATED 

To the memory of that loved companion, whose 
counsels and faith, during thirty-two years of happy 
companionship, were a constant inspiration; and 
whose memory, during the coming years, will re- 
main a helpful and ever-present influence. 



CONTENTS 

Page 

The Christian Eventide 7 

A Parable 8 

The Song of Life 9 

The Unseen Companion 11 

Obedience 12 

What Then 13 

An Autograph 14 

Fortune Retrieved 15 

Sparklets 16 

Greetings 17 

The Latest Things 18 

Prohibition National Anthem 23 

Growing Old 24 

Looking Backward 25 

No Option to do Wrong 26 

An Old Maxim 27 

The Divide 29 

The New Year 31 

The Sweetest Music Earth Has Known 31 

The Spirit's Farewell to the Body 32 

The Pastor's Wife 33 

The Upas Tree 36 

Class Song 38 

The Evening Hour 39 

Ode to Yellowstone Park 40 

The Christian's Comfort 42 

The Diamond Jubilee 43 

Peace 45 



THE CHRISTIAN EVENTIDE 

In a sermon preached in Evanston, Wyoming. 

Oh pilgrim, in this vale of tears 

Treading life's path with weary feet, 
Though rough and dark the way appears, 

Though threatening storms around thee beat, 
Let this blest thought attend thy way 

And put all anxious fears to flight; 
Though clouds and darkness shade thy day 

"At evening time it shall be light." 

At eventide! blest eventide! 

When cares are o'er and labor done, 
The shield and helmet laid aside — 

The battle fought — the victory won ; 
Then mists of earth shall roll away 

And there shall burst upon thy sight 
The radiant dawn of endless day — 

"At evening time it shall be light," 



A PARABLE 

Written in the autograph album of a young bride 
on the eve of her wedding. 

Adown the slopes of verdant hills in merry sportive 

glee, 
Two brooklets started on their way toward the dis- 
tant sea; 
Each from the other far apart — each in its separ- 
ate way, 
The streams flowed on in different paths yet 
nearer came each day; 
Nearer and nearer still they came meandering o'er 

the lea, 
An unseen hand was guiding them in paths of 
destiny ; 
And thus they moved until they met and blended 

into one, 
Then onward in a grander stream flowed till 
their course was run. 

A parable in this we find to teach the mystic way, 
In which the current of two lives are blended in a 
day; 
Adown the sunny slopes of life from childhood's 

happy state, 
Each life flows on in separate course until it finds 
its mate; 
Then never more in ways apart each life goes on 

alone 
But by the alchemy of love the two are joined in 
one; 
And in a sweeter, happier life than 'ere was 

known before 
Flow onward down the slopes of time until this 
life is o'er. 

8 



THE SONG OF LIFE 

Written to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Sutphin on the 
occasion of the thirty-fifth anniversary of their 
wedding, Manistee, Mich., Jan. I, 1896. 

No siren strain which ear hath heard, 

Nor rippling rill, nor warbling bird, 
Nor trembling string, nor vibrant key, 

Can yield so sweet a melody 
As that unwritten song whose strains 

Are deeds of love; and whose refrains 
With magic power the heart enthrill 

And all the life with music fill. 

To you, dear friends, who all along 

Your wedded life have sung this song, 
Who've learned so well the sweet refrain 

And sung it o'er and o'er again, 
We bring our greeting; and we pray 

That He who kept you all the way 
May still, in love, your footsteps guide 

And keep you ever near His side. 

On this your anniversary day, 

We touch the chords of memory, 
Which stretch through five and thirty years, 

And summon back the smiles and tears 
And joys and griefs from which have come 

The Song of Life which fills your home; 
Each separate note and diff'rent key 

Blended, by love, in harmony. 

We call to mind that former day 

When each began to learn the lay 
Which lovers sing; and when the thought 
9 



Of singing SOLOS only brought 
A tinge of sadness to the heart; 

And each one pierced with Cupid's dart, 
Agreed the SOLOS to forget 

And sing thenceforth one long DUET. 

In time another singer came 

To share your home and bear your name, 
And there resounded full and free 

A little voice in MINOR key, 
And as at night you paced the floor 

She, waiting not for an ENCORE, 
Began DACAPO the refrain 

And sang once more the minor strain. 

The years sped on; another came 

To bless the home and keep the same 
With music filled. The TRIO grew 

To a QUARTETTE ; and then you knew 
The meaning of full harmony. 

And yet what rich variety! 
Now swelling strains, now cadence sweet; 

Yet ever symphony complete. 

But blessings rich were yet in store; 

The family choir increased still more; 
For in the home there came one day 

Two happy twins; and so the way 
Was paved with sunshine; and the song 

Swelled to a CHORUS full and strong. 
And love attuned each several voice 

And made each separate heart rejoice. 

The passing years have come and gone; 

The children dear have gone from home 
Themselves to sing Life's Song anew. 
10 



And now your hearts, forever true, 
Sing once again the old DUET 

Whose loving notes you'll ne'er forget; 
Whose tones will blend your lives fn one 

Until your earthly course is run. 

THE UNSEEN COMPANION 

Read at the close of a sermon in the First Bap- 
tist Church of Evanston, Wyoming, on Sunday 
morning, July 16, 1893. 

"Lo! I am with thee all the days," 

In every path of life's dark maze, 
In winter's storm, in summer's heat, 

In busy throng or lone retreat; 
Lo! I am with thee. 

Wherever duty bids thee go — 

Midst scenes of joy or scenes of woe — 

On land or sea, by night or day, 
At every step along thy way ; 

Lo! I am with thee. 

In sunless days when joys have fled 

And darker days when hope seems dead; 

In lonely days when friends are rare, 
In toilsome days when worn with care; 
Lo ! I am with thee. 

In gladsome days, when earth is bright 

And all is tinged with joy and light; 
In days of health and days of cheer, 

When life is sweet and heaven seems near; 
Lo! I am with thee. 
11 



Lo! I am with thee all the days; 

And hold thy hand and guard thy ways, 
And note each tear and pain and grief ; 

And in each change that brings relief; 
Lo! I am with thee. 

Go, then, and sound the gospel call; 

Tell out the glad, good news to all, 
And midst the labors of each day 

Be this thy comfort all the way; 
Lo! I am with thee. 



OBEDIENCE 

Into the waters at thy word 
I follow thee my blessed Lord 

Before the world I take my stand 
And yield myself to thy command. 

Thy voice my sleeping soul did wake, 
Thy love my stubborn will did break, 

Into my heart thy life hath come 
By grace to seal me as thine own. 

In token of the change within 

In token of my death to sin, 
I now am buried 'neath the wave 

Of the baptismal wat'ry grave. 

As from the liquid grave I rise, 
O grant me grace in fresh supplies, 

In life renewed from sin set free, 
That I may ever walk with thee. 



12 



WHAT THEN? 

Oh ye men who live only for this present life 
And whose thoughts are all merged in its glamour 

and strife; 
Who think not of God, and who care not for 

heaven ; 
If the fullest success to your plans should be given, 
What then? 

If the hopes which now charm you and dazzle your 

eyes 
Should be fully achieved ; and you win every prize 
Which ambition may crave or which heart may 

desire ; 
If you reach every summit to which you aspire, 
What then? 

If the wealth which you long for shall all be at- 
tained 

And the honor and fame which you seek for be 
gained ; 

If your brow with the laurels of praise shall be 
graced 

And the scepter of power in your hand shall be 
placed, 

What then? 

When the roses of health from your cheeks shall de- 
part 
And the advent of death sends a chill to your heart ; 
When the record of life shall forever be sealed 
And the great judgment throne to your sight be re- 
vealed, 

What then? 
Oh what then? 

13 



AN AUTOGRAPH 

MISS KATIE: 

You wish me to write a line or two, 

But what can I say that will be new? 

I've read through your album and do declare 

That there's scarcely a wish or hope or prayer 

For your welfare and happiness but is there. 

Some pray that success your efforts may crown, 
And that fortune may smile but never frown. 
Some wish you a bride both lovely and fair 
And hope that your fortune may be so rare 
As to marry a rich old millionaire. 

Some flatter and praise with a great deal of pains; 
Some pencil their thoughts in musical strains; 
Some looking beyond this world of woes 
Trust that when death your eyelids shall close 
Your spirit may slumber in sweet repose. 

On all these themes I can say nothing new; 
And will only add before bidding adieu. 
That, knowing all ladies are sure to do 
That which they are cautioned to eschew, 

I hope you will ever 

All lovers evade; 
And long live to be 

A Jolly OLD MAID! 

May prosperity and happiness be your life com- 
panions and 
May all your bright dreams end in brighter reality. 

14 



FORTUNE RETRIEVED 

Written on the occasion of the marriage of Mr. 
Earle C. White to Miss Nettie Fickle. 

In Evanston there dwelt a youth 
Whose hair was red and curly; 
He was often late in getting up, 
Yet people called him Early. 

He went way off to Iowa 
To market some old horses: 
But prices were so very low 
The profits were all losses. 

Alas ! thought he what can I do 

To make this trip successful. 

A happy thought flashed through his mind 

Which made him feel quite restful. 

He'd set his cap for some fair belle 

With view to matrimony; 

He chuckled, grinned, then laughed outright 

The project was so funny. 

He found a girl — a lovely girl 
But soon was in a pickle; 
With all her charms she had one fault ; 
Alas! his girl was Fickle. 

But Cupid's dart so pierced his heart 
He loved her more than ever 
And sought with all love's magic art 
This fault from her to sever. 



15 



A remedy at last he found 
In love's unwritten mystic lore; 
He wooed and wedded her, and lo! 
She was a Fickle girl no more. 



SPARKLETS 



Written on the occasion of the giving of an en- 
gagement ring by Mr. Leroy B. White to Miss 
Caroline F. Frees. 

A sparkler from the Spark-er 

Is given the Spark-ee. 
The Spark-ee wears the sparkler 

With modest digni-tee. 
The brilliant hues that sparkle 

With many colored light 
When you Frees them, by the sparking 

Become intensely White. 



16 



GREETINGS 

To Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Thompson, Bucyrus, 
O., in response to a greeting in verse — Christmas, 
1906. 

Greetings for greetings 

And cheer for cheer 
For the Christmastide 

And the glad New Year. 
Thoughts from the heart 

And words from the pen 
Forging new links 

For friendship's chain. 

May blessings attend you 

Wherever you go, 
With joy never failing 

Your cup overflow. 
May the Infinite Father 

Direct all your way, 
And your pathway grow brighter 

And brighter each day. 



17 



THE LATEST THINGS 

Written for the Up to Date Club, comprising a 
few congenial friends, among whom was the au- 
thor. Romeo, Mich., Sept., 1898. 

I dreamed a dream the other day 
Of one who sought to learn the way 

The latest things were done ; 
He traveled all the Country o'er, 
And looked through every open door 
Of mill and factory and store, 

And houses one by one. 

He called on men of every rank, 

He stopped at office, school and bank, 

And shop of every kind ; 
To cities near and far he went, 
And many messages he sent; 
And many toilsome days he spent, 

The latest things to find. 

He saw the famous "Polychrome" 
And "Woman's Bible," which had come 

Fresh from the printer's hand ; 
He looked upon the "Logia" too, 
New found Papyri not a few, 
And other relics brought to view 

By digging in the sand. 

The latest specialty in schools 
Is mastering the football rules, 

And practicing the yell ; 
And he whose lungs are strong and sound, 
And who can run and kick and pound, 
And rush the other side around 

Has learned his lessons well. 
18 



Professor Gill has ushered in 
The latest thing in discipline 

By which the scholars learn 
Self rule; and like a city great, 
With Council, laws and Magistrate, 
Make all offenders feel the weight 

Of laws both just and stern. 

The powers 'round the table wait 
With eager face and empty plate 

To get some Turkey rare ; 
But none can get a little piece 
The Sultan says he has no Greece, 
And prays the clamor soon may cease, 

No Turkey can he spare. 

They say the Sultan is a sham 
And turn toward the Land of Ham 

With eager wistful eyes ; 
They seek their hunger to appease 
With slices large ; and hope with ease 
The richest, choicest parts to seize 

And claim them as a prize. 

But cunning England all the while 
Is settling down upon the Nile 

And strengthening her hold; 
And from Good Hope extends her hands 
To gather in the neighboring bands 
And thus secure their fertile lands 

Their diamonds and their gold. 

The British Lion feeds with zeal 
Upon the rich Alaskan seal, 

But makes it very plain 
That other nations now should cease 
19 



From killing seals ; and foster peace 
By waiting till the herds increase 
And fill the seas again. 

Poor Cuba's appetite is bad 
And Mother Spain is very sad, 

But hopes her point to gain, 
And seeks with strict economy 
In lieu of rice and hominy 
To feed her on autonomy, 

Which goes against the grain. 

But Uncle Sam would much prefer 
Plain Sandwich for his bill of fare 

And reaches out his plate; 
The Czar and Kaiser boldly seek 
To make their sideboards more unique 
And with new China, so antique, 

Their tables decorate. 

These bits of China rich and rare 
They safely guard with jealous care, 

And keep them in their view; 
The Japs look on in mad surprise ; 
And Uncle Sam looks very wise, 
While England wipes her weeping eyes 

And says "I want some too." 

The field of science was so rich 

In latest things, he knew not which 

To first investigate, 
For Telescopes and Telephones 
And Microscopes and Microphones 
And Phonographs and Gramaphones 

His coming did await. 
20 



Astronomers were scanning o'er 
The starry dome, and by the score 

Bringing new stars in sight; 
They fain would catalogue them all, 
Both stars and planets — great and small, 
And name each whirling, shining ball 

That wears a robe of light. 

They'd weigh and measure every sphere, 
And make its circling path so clear 

That none need have a doubt ; 
Its composition too they'd know 
And by the spectroscope would show 
Its formula complete; and so 

Trace all its secrets out. 

The chemists seek in ways untold 
To transmute silver into gold 

And thus their fortune make; 
And rumor says there may be seen 
In Syracuse a queer machine 
Which runs itself from morn to e'en 

Without a single break. 

The latest cars 'tis said will go 
Gliding along their track of snow 

To Klondike bleak and cold; 
And trolley wires both strong and tight 
Will guide balloons in aerial flight, 
To scale the lofty mountain height 

And reach the land of gold. 

The very last financial scheme 
Would seek the greenbacks to redeem 

And none of them disburse; 
But men in humble circumstance 
21 



Find the worst problem of finance 
Is, how to get by work or chance 
Some greenbacks in the purse. 

A new reform in human speech 

A common language seeks to teach 

To all our scattered race; 
The ''Esperanto" is its name, 
And great indeed would be its fame 
If all mankind should speak the same 

With eloquence and grace. 

The Literati of the day 
Have struck a very novel way 

Of catering to the taste; 
The grist of every age and land 
Is sifted o'er with careful hand 
By Warner and his faithful hand, 

Who gather up the best. 

Enough ! Enough ! For time would fail 
To mirror forth in full detail 

The host of latest things; 
But still the train of progress speeds; 
And larger hopes and larger needs 
Will pave the way for stranger deeds, 

And stranger happenings. 



22 



PROHIBITION NATIONAL ANTHEM 
{Tune , Star Spangled Banner) 
All hail the glad day whose bright dawning is near, 
When the traffic in drink shall be banished for- 
ever; 
When the license of wrong shall no longer appear; 
When crime shall be punished, but legalized 
never. 
Yes, the day will soon come when the licensed 
saloon 
From the land of the free shall forever be gone. 

Chorus 
And the land that we love 
From the sea to the sea, 
From the traffic in drink 
Shall forever be free. 

No more shall the hand of the demon of rum 
Wield the scepter of power on the day of election 

No more shall the foe of the State and the home 
Be upheld by the law and receive its protection; 

No longer with silver and gold shall it buy 

The permit to degrade and debase and destroy. 

— Chorus 

Then rally, ye men ! To your country be true ! 
And victory shall come to the State and the na- 
tion. 
No saloon shall remain where'er the flag floats, 
And our land shall be free from the great desola- 
tion. 
With ballot in hand, for the right firmly stand 
And vote the drink traffic from freedom's fair 
land. 

— Chorus 
23 



GROWING OLD 

To Captain John H. Anderson, on the occasion 
of the seventy-seventh anniversary of his birthday, 
Manistee, Mich. 

'Tis said that when the figure bends 
Beneath the weight of passing years, 

And when the sun of life descends 
And in the western sky appears, 
A man is growing old. 

They tell us that the furrowed face 
O'erwritten with Time's mystic pen, 

The whitening hair, the slackening pace, 
Repeat the verdict o'er again. 
The man is growing old. 

But, is this so? Is crumbling clay 

The sum and essence of the man? 
Oh, no! The house may waste away 

And yet the hidden life within 
E'er keep from growing old. 

No ravages of time can harm 

The soul that rests in Jesus' love. 
Shielded by his all-powerful arm, 

Maturing for the home above, 
The man cannot grow old. 

And so to thee, our brother dear, 
On this, thine anniversary day, 
We bring our greetings and our cheer; 
And we, from thee, would learn the way 
To keep from growing old. 
24 



Thy years are three score, seven and ten, 
But, tho' the shadows lengthen now, 

The setting sun shall rise again 

And youth immortal crown the brow 
Which never shall grow old. 

LOOKING BACKWARD 

To my Father on the occasion of his eighty-eighth 
anniversary. 

The slanting rays of setting sun 

Shine on the white haired Pilgrim's way; 
The crown of four score years and eight 

Is resting on his head to-day. 
And yet no cane is in his hand, 

No glasses on his undimmed eye; 
No time-worn furrows in his neck, 

No cloud on mind or memory. 

He pauses on the crested hill 

And gazes backward o'er the way; 
His vision sweeps the winding path 

Which reaches back to childhood's day. 
As one who views a landscape o'er 

May linger on one spot alone, 
So now his gaze is fixed upon 

The blessings round his pathway strewn. 

A boundless store of health and strength, 

A fertile brain, an active mind; 
A host of friends on every side, 

A goodly list of neighbors kind. 
A home with loving hearts and hands, 
25 



Ready for kindly word or deed; 
A generous store of earthly goods, 
To minister to every need. 

And higher blessings yet he saw, 

The things which round his soul, entwine 
The gospel message, pure and sweet, 

The drawing power of grace divine. 
As thus he gazed his eyes grew moist; 

He bared his head and reverent stood; 
And as he mused he gently said, 

"The Lord is good, the Lord is good." 

NO OPTION TO DO WRONG 

(Tune, "Annie Laurie") 

The day is surely coming when men will firmly 

stand 
For laws which give no option to evil in our land, 
Then pass the word along. No option to do 

wrong, 
For we'll never, never sanction the option to do 
wrong. 

The fallacy of license has had its baneful sway; 
And now the scheme of option is leading men astray, 
But this shall be our song. No option to do 

wrong, 
For we'll never, never sanction the option to do 
wrong. 

In the law proclaimed on Sinai no option e'er was 

given 
To change the moral standard revealed from God 

in heaven 

26 



So this shall be our song. No option to do wrong. 
For we'll never, never sanction the option to do 
wrong. 

In the teachings of the Master so full of truth and 

light 
No choice was ever given except to do the right 
So this shall be our song. No option to do wrong. 
For we'll never, never sanction the option to do 
wrong. 

Then we'll waste no time with option ; but bravely 

take our stand 
For prohibition only throughout our glorious land, 
And this shall be our song. No option to do 

wrong, 
For we'll never, never sanction the option to do 
wrong. 

AN OLD MAXIM 

"Qui facit per alium facit per se" 
Is a maxim of truth to which all must agree ; 
'Tis a maxim so plain that but few will deny; 
Yet hitting so hard that but few will apply. 
For ways must be mended when men come to see 
"Qui facit per alium facit per se" 

There are many lamenting the traffic in drink 
Who from voting for license most surely would 

shrink ; 
And the curse of strong drink they will loudly de- 
cry 
And vote every time that the county go dry; 
And yet who this truth are unable to see 
"Qui facit per alium facit per se" 
27 



The people themselves in this land of the free 
Are the rulers supreme; they alone can decree 
What laws shall be passed — what laws be re- 
pealed — 
What laws shall continue their fruitage to yield ; 
And having such power it surely must be 
' 'Qui facit per alium facit per se" 

The men who in Congress are making the laws 

Are simply the agents — as everyone knows — 

Of the men who have sent them; and that which 

they do 
Is the act of themselves and their principals too. 
As effect follows cause, so it follows you see, 
"Qui facit per alium facit per se" 

Hence the men who in Congress license the sale 
And the making of whiskey, of beer, and of ale; 
And who sanction the shipment to states that are 

dry 
Are the Agents of those who the traffic decry; 
And who either cannot or else will not see 
"Qui facit per alium facit per se" 

So it comes the same people are pulling both ways, 
And working by methods which truly amaze; 
For they vote that the COUNTY may go dry ; and 

yet 
By their Agents in Congress keep the WHOLE 

NATION wet; 
For it is as certain as certain can be 
"Qui facit per alium facit per se" 



28 



THE DIVIDE 

Upon the lofty mountain crest 

Fair Isa's limpid waters rest; 

Set high upon the great divide 

From whence the rippling brooklets glide. 

Two outlets to this lake are found, 

And hence the name — "Two Ocean Pond;" 

For through one outlet waters flow 

To the Pacific far below; 

While through the other outlet go 

The waters of the melting snow; 

And down the eastern slope descend 

To reach Atlantic's wave-swept strand. 

A drop of water floating round 
The surface of this mountain pond — 
Ah! who can tell or who foresee 
What things may change its destiny. 
A breath of wind — a splash of rain — 
The movement of a fish's fin 
May give the start and fix the trend 
On which the future may depend ; 
For started once upon its course — 
Whether for better or for worse — 
It onward flows from day to day 
Along the same unchanging way. 



29 



Oh, what a parable is here 

To teach a lesson plain and clear; 

To every life there comes a day 

Which marks the parting of the way. 

Life has its crest and its divide ; 

Life has its moments which decide 

The slope on which its currents flow, 

Whether it be for weal or woe. 

And man may choose — and man must choose — 

Whether the prize to win or lose — 

Whether the slope of life and peace 

Which leads the realms of endless bliss; 

Or whether the slope which downward goes 

To endless death and endless woes. 

There's many a man on life's divide 

With hesitant look to either side 

Whose weal for eternity's day may hinge 

Upon what may seem the smallest of things. 

A little less doubt — a little more faith — 

A little more thought on the heavenly path — 

A little less hate — a little more love — 

A little more longing for heaven above — 

A little more striving the Tempter to quell — 

A little more effort to turn the will — 

And the face will be set toward the heavenly rest — 

Toward all that is grandest and sweetest and best. 

Yes, small the beginning and easy to choose; 
But great the result — if we win — if we lose — 
And happy is he, yes, happy indeed, 
Who the lesson will learn and earnestly heed. 



30 



THE NEW YEAR 

Be this our aim, and this our prayer, 
That in this new and untried year 
Whate'er of change, from day to day, 
May mark our erring, fitful way, 
Our lives may reach a higher plane; 
And every summit we may gain 
Be held secure — a treasured prize — 
And made a step by which to rise, 
With vision clear and purpose true, 
To higher ground and broader view. 

THE SWEETEST MUSIC EARTH HAS 
KNOWN 

The sweetest music earth has known 
Is not in rounded phrase or tone 
But that expressed in loving deeds ; 
The grandest poems known to men 
Are those unwritten by the pen — 
The ministries to human needs. 



THE SPIRIT'S FAREWELL TO THE 
BODY 

Farewell, dear house of clay, farewell; 
The clock of destiny strikes the hour 

Ordained by Heaven's decree, 
When death should loose the silver cord 
Which close in vital union bound 

My spirit life to thee. 

Abiding place, and more, thou'st been; 
Companion faithful all the years 

In mystic union sealed; 
Thine eyes, thine ears, thy hands, thy feet, 
The willing servants of my will 

Whene'er to them revealed. 

Changeless and deep my love for thee; 
Sacred the bond which made us one 

Though severed for a time; 
On separate paths we enter now, 
Each to fulfill in different way 

A destiny sublime. 

The corn of wheat falls to the ground, 
That it may leap its former bounds 

In nobler life to rise; 
So thou, through process men call death, 
Transfigured and resurged shall be 

For life beyond the skies. 

For me there opes the golden gate 
Of spirit realm called paradise, 

The ante-room to Heaven ; 
There taints of earth no more shall mar 
But graces such as Angels wear, 

The ransomed shall be given. 
32 



So then we part; but not for aye; 
In God's own time the severed bond 

Of life shall be restored, 
And then the twain, made one again 
All radiant with the glory given 

Shall triumph in the Lord. 

Till that glad day — a fond farewell; 
To that glad day expectant faith 

Its onward way shall wing; 
And swell the anthem full and free. 
"Oh grave where is thy victory, 

Oh death where is thy sting?" 

THE PASTOR'S WIFE 

When a Pastor is needed to shepherd the flock — 
To lead them and feed them and teach them to walk 
In the strait, narrow pathway which leadeth to 

heaven, 
And to follow the precepts the Saviour has given ; 
Many questions arise as to one who desires 
To be called by the Church; and who rightly 

aspires 
To succeed to the work and the duties laid down 
By the Pastor beloved who has recently gone. 

Is he gifted and learned? — In what school was he 

trained ? 
Is he fluent in speaking? — What degrees has he 

gained ? 
Is his manner attractive ? and his voice not too loud ? 
Is he genial and social? — Will he mix with the 

crowd ? 
Is his stature too stubby? — Or is it too high? 
33 



Are his sermons too lengthy? — Or are they too 

dry? 
Can he lead in the singing? — Can he sing every 

part? 
Is his praying effective? — Does it comfort the 

heart ? 

These questions once settled, the new man is called 
As the Pastor-elect and is duly installed. 

But in all this transaction, scant thought is be- 
stowed 

On the Wife who must carry one-half of the load ; 

Who must put her whole heart and her soul in the 
work, 

Ever zealous to labor, but never to shirk; 

Who must visit the sick and be quick to respond 

To the call of distress throughout all the year 
round ; 

Who must always be ready with welcome and cheer, 

For the visiting Brethren from far and from near; 

Who must teach every Sunday a class in the school, 

And inspire them to live by the blest golden rule. 

Yet this is but part of the work that is done 
By the Pastor's good wife to help the cause on. 
For, next to the Lord, the true Pastor depends 
On his faithful companion to hold up his hands; 
On her counsel and prayers — on her faith and her 

cheer ; 
On her love and devotion when troubles appear; 
For spirit with spirit is blended in one, 
And each helps the other in all that is done. 



34 



When the Master shall gather his loved and his 

own; 
And the books shall be opened and records made 

known ; 
In the book of remembrance of the deeds of this life, 
There will be a bright page for the Pastor's good 

wife. 
And her labors of love, oft unknown on the earth, 
Shall be manifest then, and appraised at their 

worth ; 
And the stars in her crown of rejoicing shall shine ; 
And her face be illumed with the joy that's divine. 



35 



THE UPAS TREE 

(Tune, "The Old Wayside Cross") 

Introduction 

In the island of Java there is a tree known as 
the Upas Tree, which yields a poisonous sap and a 
poisonous gum. The poison is used by the Natives 
to poison their arrowheads. 

It was formerly reported, and for a long time 
believed in England, that this tree was so pestilen- 
tial and deadly in its nature, that neither plants nor 
animals could live in its vicinity. This was after- 
ward proved to be untrue — its deleterious influence 
being greatly exaggerated. The legend has served, 
however, to make the Upas Tree the symbol of 
anything which yields a deadly influence. It is 
therefore a fitting symbol of the liquor traffic whose 
influence is, always and everywhere, deadly to all 
that is highest and best in life. In this song the 
Upas Tree represents the liquor traffic. 

I 

Rooted deep in the soil, spreading wide in the air, 
There's a Upas tree shedding its blight everywhere ; 
O'er the hill and the vale, o'er the meadow and 

plain, 
It scatters its fruitage of sorrow and pain. 

Chorus 

Dark, dark, are the homes where its shadow doth 

fall; 
Sad, sad, are the hearts which its terrors appall; 
36 



It scatters its seed far and wide o'er the land ; 
And death reaps the harvest with pitiless hand. 

II 

Nor pen can describe, nor tongue can portray 
The bane and the blight of that dread Upas Tree ; 
The heart aches and tears, the crimes and the sin, 
The hopes which lie shattered, the graves of the 

slain. 

— Chorus 

III 

Oh, the roots of that tree have been nourished so 

long, 
That they have burrowed down deep and become 

very strong; 
They're imbedded in greed and in custom and law 
And longer and stronger continue to grow. 

— Chorus 



37 



CLASS SONG 

For old people's Bible class 
(Tune, "We Have an Anchor") 

Though the lengthening shadows mark our way, 

As nearer draws the close of day 
Though the form grow old with each passing year 

Yet our hearts are young and full of cheer. 

Chorus 

Classmates and Comrades, joyful we sing 
Courage and cheer to each other we bring 
Happy in the bonds of Christian love 
As we journey on to our home above. 

Though the head grow gray with the frost of years 
And the line of care on the face appears; 

Though the gathering mists may dim the eye 
Yet our hearts are young as in days gone by. 

— Chorus 

Though the pulse may fail and the heart grow weak 

Though the voice may falter when we speak; 
Though the life may wane as a tale that is told 
Yet our hearts are young and shall ne'er grow 
old. 

— Chorus 



38 



THE EVENING HOUR 

(Tune, "Music in the Air") 

The rosy tints of morn 

Linger in the sky no more 
The noontide's flood of light 

With its radiant glow is o'er. 

Chorus 

But life's evening still is blest 
Filled with comfort, peace and rest 
And the pathway brighter grows 
As the day draws near its close. 

The powers of life have waned 

Buoyancy of youth has fled 
The skill once proudly gained 

With the passing years has sped. 

— Chorus 

The step may feebler grow 

And the outward man decay 
Yet the spirit life within 

Be renewed from day to day. 

— Chorus 

Be this our comfort sweet 
Resting in the Father's love 

His light shall guide our feet 
Till we reach the home above. 

— Chorus 



39 



ODE TO YELLOWSTONE PARK 

Hail! garden of primeval mould 
Where nature in her grandest mood 
Reveals her beauties manifold 
And sings the praise of Nature's God. 

Here ages seem to backward swing 
Their mystic doors; and ope to view 
The plastic form of hill and plain, 
When time was young and earth was new. 

Here boiling pools of molten clay 
The Potter's moulding touch await 
That graceful curve and symmetry 
Their changing forms may permeate. 

Here steaming mountains puff and roar, 
Their molten hearts with heat aglow; 
While mighty crucibles of ore 
Are rocking in the depths below. 

Here steaming geysers heavenward rise 
From boiling cauldrons far below; 
Here lofty mountains pierce the skies — 
Their summits crowned with spotless snow. 

Here varied mineral waters flow 
From smitten rock and mountain side ; 
Revealing treasures hid below 
The winding paths o'er which they glide. 

Here crystal pools in beauty glow 
With colors caught from sunlit sky; 
And vie with overarching bow 
In brilliance and variety. 
40 



Here mirror lakes of green and blue 
Reflect the towering pine clad hills; 
And sparkling waters freely flow 
In bubbling spring and rippling rills. 

Here rushing rapids wildly run 
O'er rocky ledge with boulders strewn; 
And crystal streams go tumbling down 
Their rough and rugged paths of stone. 

Here foaming cascades plunge and roll 
Along their steep descending course; 
And grand and glorious cataracts fall 
With mighty and resistless force. 

O garden beautiful and grand! 
Aglow with beauties which reveal 
The workings of that unseen hand 
Which fashions with divinest skill; 

And robes with tints so wondrous fair 
That they might almost seem to be 
Vouchsafed that mortals here might share 
The foregleams of the Jasper sea. 

With reverent thoughts our hearts inspire, 
For Him whose ways are wise and good; 
Kindle within the sacred fire 
Of love and worship to our God. 



41 



THE CHRISTIAN'S COMFORT 

We cannot penetrate the vail, 

Which hides the future from our gaze; 

We cannot see the toils and cares, 
Concealed within the coming days. 

But this we know, whate'er betides 

He knows, He keeps, He loves, He guides. 

We cannot scan the distant skies, 

To know what storms may gather there; 
We cannot know the joys or griefs, 

Or smiles or tears which we shall share ; 
But come what may of weal or woes, 

He loves, He guides, He keeps, He knows. 

Whatever dangers mark the way, 

Whatever trials may appear; 
Whatever foes may gather round, 

The trusting Christian, saved from fear, 
May rest in Him who never sleeps; 

He knows, He loves, He guides, He keeps. 

Beneath — His everlasting arms; 

Above — His glorious dwelling place; 
Around — His overruling power; 

Within — the sunshine of His grace; 
Each passing day His goodness proves; 

He knows, He guides, He keeps, He loves. 



42 



THE DIAMOND JUBILEE 

On the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary 
of the organization of the First Baptist Church of 
Kalamazoo, Mich. 

God of all grace, whose love and power 
Have brought us to this sacred hour, 
We gladly own thy sovereign care, 
And gratefully thy mercies share. 

For three-score fifteen years gone by, 
Thy guiding hand and watchful eye 
Have kept thy flock ; and day by day 
Have led it onward in the way. 

The past, with all its sacred ties, 
Is filled with precious memories; 
A store of blessings rich and rare; 
A heritage beyond compare. 

Here wanderers have found the way 
Which leads to gates of endless day, 
Here burdened hearts with sin oppressed 
Have sought and found the promised rest. 

Here hearts bereaved, and rent with grief 
Have found sweet comfort and relief; 
Here zeal and courage have been fired, 
And men to nobler deeds inspired. 

Here men have heard the Spirit's call 
To preach the word; and leaving all, 
Have turned from hopes of worldly gain, 
To serve and save their fellow men. 
43 



And faithful Laymen, year by year, 
To fields of labor, far and near, 
Have gone to teach, to pray, to give, 
To help, to comfort and relieve. 

And oh, what tender memories come 

Of loved ones in the heavenly home. 

Who here so faithfully have striven 

To point the way which leads to Heaven. 

O, Lord we bless thee for this Vine; 
For fruitage borne through grace divine; 
For blessings new, for blessings old ; 
For all the future years enfold. 

And now O Lord our hearts inspire; 
Baptize us with the sacred fire; 
That from henceforth our powers may be 
More fully yielded unto thee. 

May sacred memories of our dead, 
And hallowed ground on which we tread, 
Inspire our hearts to carry on 
The work so faithfully begun. 

Help us our sacred trust to keep ; 

Help us in faithfulness to reap 

The harvests sown with prayers and tears, 

By other hands in other years. 

Help us in coming days to prove 
The larger promise of thy love; 
With faith unfettered help us rise 
To noble deeds of sacrifice. 



44 



Lead thou us on, from grace to grace, 
Until we see thee face to face ; 
And gathered round thy glorious throne 
We hear the gracious words "Well Done." 



PEACE 



"Peace upon earth, good will unto men" 
Chanted the Angels o'er Bethlehem's plain: 
Message descending from heaven to earth 
Message proclaiming Immanuel's birth; 
Message revealing the world's deepest need; 
Calling from conflict and hatred and greed; 
Calling from envy and turmoil and strife 
Setting to music the discords of life. 

II 

"Peace upon earth" — was it only a dream? 
Was it only to give but a vanishing gleam 
Of hopes and desires which could ne'er be at- 
tained — 
Of blessings and joys which could never be gained? 
Ah ! such it would seem if the records we scan 
Of the history written of Nations and men; 
For war follows war like a crimson-hued flood 
And the story of Nations is written in blood. 

Ill 

Oh ! the sad desolation which warfare has wrought ! 
Oh! the tears and the sufferings which warfare has 
brought 

45 



To the dwellers on earth since that far distant morn 
When the message of peace by the Angels was 

borne! 
Not a land on the earth where its scourge and its 

blight 
Have not hung like a pall — like the darkness of 

night. 
Not a brief space of time — e'en the span of a life — 
Which was free from the terrors of bloodshed and 

strife. 

IV 

And the Nations of earth with each passing year 
Are groaning 'neath burdens too heavy to bear — 
The burdens of war-debts and pensions which come 
From the battles and conflicts of years that are 

gone. 
Yet still are they struggling more warships to build 
And raising more armies to put in the field 
And making the burdens which toilers must share 
More heavy and crushing — more grievous to bear. 



Oh! why should disputes be appealed to the sword 
When Arbitral courts can declare an award 
Which will bring to both parties far greater good 
And save useless shedding of rivers of blood? 
Let reason and conscience and judgment have sway; 
Let courts be established where each Nation may 
Have the right to be heard and its grievance make 

known — 
Where wrongs shall be righted and justice be done. 



46 



VI 

If the wager of battle uncivilized be 
In a case where two neighbors shall fail to agree, 
As a means of adjusting their opposite views — 
Where the stronger must win — and the weaker 

must lose, 
Then how can this method more civilized be, 
In a case where two Nations shall fail to agree, 
And where victory waits not on justice and right 
But on armies and navies — on numbers and might? 

VII 

Then sheathed be the sword ! and the cannon's voice 

stilled! 
No more let the blood of earth's heroes be spilled ! 
No longer let brother with brother contend 
In the struggle for spoils and for conquest of land ! 
No more let the nations with each other vie 
To increase their armies ; and to build or to buy 
More dreadnaughts and cruisers and crafts of the 

air 
With which to despoil and destroy and devour. 

VIII 

Let the crushing exactions of war be relaxed; 
Let the burdens be lifted from those who are taxed 
For the ruinous cost of the ruinous strife 
Which is cursing the Nations and sapping their life ; 
For if each were to multiply armies by three 
Then, relatively, neither the stronger would be 
While if each one should sever its armies in twain 
Their relative power and strength would remain. 

47 



IX 

The past has gone by and its record is sealed ; 
But the scroll of the future shall yet be revealed. 
And the song of the Angels o'er Bethlehem's plain 
Shall live in the heart-throbs of Nations and Men ; 
The lessons of justice and peace shall be learned ; 
And the swords and the spears into plough shares be 

turned ; 
And nation to nation its blessing shall give 
Each ruled by the motto of "live and let live." 

X 

"Peace upon earth" — such a song cannot die. 
Its music grows sweeter as ages go by; 
For it sings of a time when the shadows of war 
Shall darken the hearthstone and fireside no more, 
And the song of the Angels tho lost in the din 
And confusion of warfare shall burst forth again, 
Its music shall vibrate o'er land and o'er sea. 
Till the earth from the terrors of war shall be free. 



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